Ventilated boot or shoe



(No Model.)

J. A. JOHNSON. VBNTILATED BOOT 0R SHOE?v No. 434,341 .Patented Aug. l2, 1890.

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WHWESSES INVENTOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1..

(No Model.) 2 sheets-sheet 2.

J. A.. JOHNSON.

VENTILATBD. BOOT OR SHOE.

No. 434,341 Patent-.ed Aug. 12|, 1890.

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' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN A. JOHNSON, OF MANISTEE, MICHIGAN.

VENTILATED BOOT OR SHOE.

SPECIFlCATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 434,341, dated August 12, 18,90.

Application filed May 13, 1890. Serial No, 351,595. (No model.)

4' citizen ofthe United States, residing at Manistee, in the count-y of Manistee and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ventilators for Boots or Shoes; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to means for ventilating boots or shoes; and the object is to provide improved means for thoroughly ventilating the boot or shoe by the admission of air through the heel of the article into the interior.

My invention will be hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

I have fully and clearly illustrated my invention in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a plan view of the sole with the air-tube in the heel and the shank-welt arranged in place. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same with sole-plate having ventilator therein and shank-piece in place, showing the ven- Vtilating ways or spaces. Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the sole-plate and shank-piece. Fig. 4 is adetail view of the heel detached. Fig. 5 is a detail bottom view of the shank-piece. Fig. 6 is a reverse view of the shank-piece. Fig. 7 is a detail of the air-tube. Fig. 8 is a view of the insole. Fig. 9 is a View of the covered insole. l

The shoe, in its general construction, is made and assembled as usual, my invention being specially applied to and combined with the inner surface of the sole and in the heel,V and the description will therefore be confined specially to the parts involving and including my invention.

Reference being had to the drawings, A designates. the sole of the shoe, formed with an elongated slot 1 in the heel part to receive the air-tube, the slot being made longer than the barrel of the tube to admit the free access of air into the shoe beyond the inner end of the tube. On the under side of the sole at the heel, a groove 2 is formed, in which the stem of the air-tube is arranged. In the shank of the sole, is a shank-welt 3 on which the spring of the shank-piece bears to prevent f the spring from wearing the sole. This piece also serves to stiften the shank.

B designates the heel, which has a -seat 4 formed in it and also a groove 5, leading to the outer end face ot` the heel to receive the air-tube and its stem. rIhe air-tube 6 is arranged in `the seat and slot formed in the heel and sole, as shown in the drawings, the inner open end of the air tube stopping short of the inner end of the slot in the sole to permit, as stated, the free ingress of air into the Ventilating-channels of the shank and sole. This air-tube consists of a barrel-piece 7 and a stem 8 of smaller diameter than the barrelpiece. The stem is internally screw-threaded, and has fitted thereto a headed screw 9, which maybe taken ont to admit the air or inserted to close the tube, when desired, to prevent water from getting through the tube. On the barrel of the air-tube is a band 10, having the ends extended outwardly, and provided with holes in which are fastening-screws, by which the tube is secured and held in place.

C designates the shank-piece. This consists of a wire-cloth 12 cut to the configura tion or outline of the shank of the sole, and has secured thereto on the upper face side strips 13 11, the ends of the strips extending rearward, as at 15, and fastened to the side edges of the tube-slot in the heel. At the front of the shank-piece the strips -are bent outward to the line of shape of the sole, and between the parts is arranged and fastened a piece of leather 16, the end face of which abuts against the end ot' the central strip ot' the ventilator-piece on the sole-plate, and serves to form two air grooves or passages at the front part of the shank-piece. On the under side of the shank-piece, at the rear, is a keeper 17, in which one end of the shankspring 18 is fitted, as shown in the drawings. D designates the sole-plate, on the face of which is secured Ventilating-strips, made of a single piece of material, either cork or leather, consisting of a toe-piece or end piece 19, from which extend side pieces or strips 20 21, and a central strip 22, having spaces between them ICO constituting air-chambers in which the air finds its way from the heel-tube through the channel in the shank-piece.

Over the whole of the parts described as arranged on the sole is secured the insole 23, having an enlarged air-hole 2a directly over the mouth of the air-tube, a central line ot' airholes 25 over the channel in the shank, and air-holes 26 around the edge ot' the insole opening into the air-spaces of the Ventilatingstrips on the sole-plate. Over the insole is secured a loosely-Woven textile material 27, composed, preferably, of hair-cloth, because that fabric embodies the quality of durability and of permitting the air to come through it freely.

It will be observed from the foregoing description, in connection with the drawings, that the shoe is thoroughly ventilated by the air coming in through the air-tube and forced through the channels, and thence through the air-holes in the insole by the action of the foot in the shoe or boot. The action or pressure of the heel of the person over the space between the end of the air-tube and the slot forces the air through the channels.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim isl. In a ventilated boot or shoe, the combination ot' a sole having an elongated slot in the sole at the heel portion, an air-tube secured in the slot and made shorter than the slot, a metal-Woven shank-piece having strips secured to its upper edges arranged to form an air-chan nel between them, a sole-plate having 'Ventilating-strips arranged with channelsv between them, and an insole p'rovided with lines of air-holes corresponding to the channels, substantially as described.

2. In a ventilated boot or shoe, the combination of an air-tube at the heel opening through the sole, a sole-plate at the front having the strips 20, 21, and 22, secured thereto and arranged with air-spaces between them, the shank-piece consisting of a metal-woven material having leather strips secured thereto with an air-space between them, and hav ing also the piece 1G, against which the strip 22 of the sole-plate abuts, and an insole formed with air-holes, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN A. JOHNSON. 'Witnesses LoUIs FIRZLAFF, ERAsTUs V. POTTER. 

